Packaging for multi-component compositions

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of disclosure relate to packaging for separately storing, and subsequently mixing, multiple components. The packaging includes a container formed from a first wall and an opposing second wall, wherein a closure splits this container in a leak-proof manner, into a first chamber and a second chamber within said container. The closure is formed from a closure piece arranged on the first wall and a closure counterpiece arranged on the opposing second wall, one part of a spatula forming this closure piece or closure counterpiece. Such a spatula can separate the two chambers from one another as part of the closure system, is always available, and cannot be lost. Furthermore, as a result of its shape, it can be used to mix and administer the contents of the chambers, and to process/apply the mixed multi-component composition.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority as a continuation application under 35 U.S.C. §120 to PCT/EP2012/072500, which was filed as an International Application on Nov. 13, 2012 designating the U.S., and which claims priority to European Application 11188958.0 filed in Europe on Nov. 14, 2011. The entire content of each prior application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The disclosure is directed to packaging for multi-component compositions.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Known tubular bag packaging can be used advantageously anywhere that small quantities of liquid to pasty materials are to be packaged. The products can be removed after deliberate destruction of the outer skin of the tubular bag packaging. The separately packaged components can be mixed either by combining the components outside of the packaging, for example by blending with a spatula, or by blending the components inside the packaging, for example by opening a closure in the packaging and then kneading the components, which are now in contact with one another.

When the multi-component composition should be processed quickly, for example because of a short pot life or high time pressure, the homogeneous mixing of the components should be achieved quickly.

In addition, in the case of use in outdoor areas, often no aids for mixing the components or only makeshift or rudimentary aids (rods, etc.) are available.

In addition, the methods mentioned in the preceding frequently result in a considerable portion of the contents being left behind in the packaging.

Furthermore, inadequate and/or inhomogeneous mixing can arise when little time is available for mixing the multi-component composition, and can result in qualitatively inferior multi-component compositions and high wastage of material.

The problem therefore arises of making devices and methods for mixing/applying substances in available multicomponent packaging which does not have the aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY

Packaging for separately storing and subsequently mixing several components is disclosed, the packaging comprising: a container formed from a first wall and an opposing second wall; and a closure that splits the container, in a leak-proof manner, into a first chamber and a second chamber within the container, wherein the closure is formed from a closure piece arranged on the first wall, and a closure counter piece arranged on the opposing second wall, and wherein one part of a spatula forms the closure piece or the closure counter piece.

A method for applying a multi-component composition using a packaging is disclosed, the packaging having a container formed from a first wall and an opposing second wall; and a closure that splits the container, in a leak-proof manner, into a first chamber and a second chamber within the container, wherein the closure is formed from a closure piece arranged on the first wall, and a closure counter piece arranged on the opposing second wall, and wherein one part of a spatula forms the closure piece or the closure counter piece, the method comprising: a) opening the closure and thus combining contents of the first chamber with those of the second chamber within the container; b) mixing the contents of the first chamber with those of the second chamber using the one part of the spatula which forms the closure piece or the closure counter piece, without the container being opened; and c) applying the mixed contents of the first chamber and the second chamber with the aid of the spatula.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, embodiment examples of the disclosure will be explained in further detail based on the drawings. In the different figures, the same elements are provided with the same reference symbols. The drawings include:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first lengthwise cross section through a packaging according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate a side view of a spatula according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a lateral cross section through a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a second lengthwise cross section through a packaging according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for mixing the contents of the first and second chambers using the spatula according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Only those elements that are essential for a direct understanding of the disclosure are shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a first lengthwise cross section through a packaging according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown FIG. 1, a packaging for separate storage and subsequent mixing of several components is includes a container 1 formed from a first wall 2 and an opposing second wall 3. A closure 4 splits the container, in a leak-proof manner, into a first chamber 5 and a second chamber 6 within the container. The closure 4 is formed from a closure piece 7, arranged on the first wall 2, and a closure counter piece 8 arranged on the opposing second wall 3, wherein one part of a spatula 9 forms the closure piece 7 or the closure counter piece 8.

FIG. 3 illustrates a lateral cross section through a closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment described herein, the closure 4 can be a snap connector or a pressure connector, for example a snap connector with interlocking counter pieces, or in another exemplary embodiment a snap connector with an interlocking snap-in element (male element) and an interlocking receptacle element (female element). The interlocking snap-in element can have a semicircular cross section. The interlocking receptacle element can have two inwardly curved members which form a receptacle or a channel into which the interlocking snap-in element can engage with a snap. An example of this is shown in FIG. 3.

The closure 4 can be a snap connector with interlocking counter pieces, wherein the closure piece 7 is an interlocking receptacle element and the closure counter piece 8 is an interlocking snap-in element.

The closure 4 can furthermore be a plug-in connector, such as a tongue-and-groove connector, wherein closure piece 7 is the groove and closure counter piece 8 is the tongue.

The closure 4 splits the container, in a leak-proof manner, into a first chamber 5 and a second chamber 6 within the container. In the context of the present disclosure, the term “in a leak-proof manner” means that in the closed state, the closure does not allow any exchange between the components located in the two chambers.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the closure piece 7 is an interlocking receptacle element with a substantially semicircular cross section and the closure counter piece 8 is an interlocking snap-in element with a substantially semicircular cross section.

It is furthermore advantageous if one part of the spatula 9 forms the closure counter piece 8. However, it is also possible for one part of the spatula 9 to form the closure piece 7.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second lengthwise cross section through a packaging according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. One part of a spatula 9 forms the closure piece 7 or the closure counter piece 8, as is shown for example in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 3. This is advantageous in that it enables a slim design of the packaging, which is advantageous when space is limited. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the two chambers 5/6 can be positioned one on top of the other, wherein the spatula 9 comes to lie between them.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a reduction in waste, since the spatula forms part of the closure 4. Furthermore, the risk of losing the spatula is thereby reduced.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the spatula can have rounded corners; as a result, the risk of breaching or damaging the packaging, such as the walls 2/3, is reduced.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the spatula can be made of a plastic, for example a plastic with low adhesive strength in relation to multicomponent adhesives. This offers the advantage of facilitating the application of multicomponent adhesives with the assistance of the spatula. According to still another exemplary embodiment, the spatula can be produced by injection molding, since in this way the manufacturing costs can be kept low in the case of large numbers of pieces.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the spatula 9 is made of a thermoplastic plastic selected from the group including of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene and thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO).

The container 1 is formed from a first wall 2 and an opposing second wall 3. The first wall 2 and the opposing second wall 3 are walls made of a flexible material. According to the present disclosure, “flexible material” is defined as a material which permits a mixing of the contents with the aid of the spatula, and the application of the mixed contents using the spatula, as described in the following. It is furthermore advantageous for the material of the walls to be a material which permits a mixing of the contents by kneading manually.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, the walls 2/3 have a material selected from the group including of aluminum, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyamide (PA).

The thickness of the walls 2/3 can amount to 50-300 μm, for example, such as 100-150 μm.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the walls 2/3 have a (mean) tensile strength according to DIN EN IS0527-1 to 3 of longitudinal ≧40, transversal ≧40, such as longitudinal ≧50, transversal ≧50, and/or a (mean) elongation at break according to DIN EN 180527-1 to 3 of longitudinal ≧50, transversal ≧50, such as longitudinal ≧60, transversal ≧60.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the container has a contact surface 17 surrounding the container in the manner of a frame, which contact surface is formed by a composite of the first wall 2 and an opposing second wall 3, wherein the composite can be formed by welding and/or cementing and/or crimping the two walls 2/3 together. This is economical and produces little waste.

The container has a first chamber 5 and a second chamber 6. The container can also have additional chambers formed inside the container in a leak-proof manner by additional closures.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the first chamber 5 contains a component A 14 and the second chamber 6 contains a component B 15, wherein component A 14 and component B 15 can react chemically with one another.

Component B is can be a compound which reacts chemically with component A, such as to polymerize component A, for example by initiation or acceleration, and can finally lead to the curing of component A. In this document, “polymerization” is defined as the transformation of low molecular weight compounds (monomers, oligomers, prepolymers) to high molecular weight compounds (polymers, macromolecules, polymers) in some way and includes polyaddition and polycondensation.

According to another exemplary embodiment, component A 14 and/or component B (15) can be a pasty substance. The pasty substance can have a viscosity according to DIN 53019 measured at 25° C. of 1-1000 Pa·s, such as 5-100 Pa·s, an according to another exemplary embodiment 10-50 Pa·s.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, components A 14 and B 15 are components of adhesive compositions and/or sealing compositions. For example, component A can be an adhesive and component B is a curing accelerator. Also, the ratio of the volume of component B to the volume of component A can be 1:1-1:10, such as 1:2-1:5 according to one embodiment, and 1:2-1:3 according to another embodiment.

The container 1 can have a closable outlet 16 that is connected to the first chamber 5 or the second chamber 6, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 1.

The outlet 16 can be made of a plastic, such as a plastic with low adhesive strength toward multicomponent adhesives. In this manner, systematic opening of the container can be accomplished and accurate application of the contents is simplified.

The closable outlet 16 can be an outlet with a screw closure.

In an additional aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for applying a multi-component composition using a packaging as described in the preceding, including the steps:

a) Opening the closure 4 and consequently connecting the contents of the first chamber 5 with those of the second chamber 6 inside the container,

b) Mixing the contents of the first chamber 5 with those of the second chamber 6 with the aid of the part of the spatula 9 that forms the closure piece 7 or the closure counter piece 8, without opening the container,

c) Applying the mixed contents of the first chamber 5 and the second chamber 6 with the aid of the spatula 9.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the mixing in step b) leads to a substantially homogeneous mixing of the contents of the first and second chambers.

In step b), the contents of the first chamber 5 and the contents of the second chamber 6 can be moved in the longitudinal direction from one end of the container to the other end of the container. The movement is achieved with the aid of the part of the spatula 9 which forms the closure piece 7 or the closure counter piece 8 by pressing the first wall 2 against the opposite second wall 3 with simultaneous movement in the longitudinal direction of the container. This is shown in FIG. 5.

The movement of the contents of the first chamber 5 and the contents of the second chamber 6 in the longitudinal direction from one end of the container to the other end of the container is performed 4-8 times; this is conducive to a homogeneous mixing of the components.

It can be conducive to a homogeneous mixing of the components if, after moving the contents of the first chamber 5 and the contents of the second chamber 6 in the longitudinal direction from one end of the container to the other end of the container, the part of the containers that is substantially free from the contents of the first chamber 5 and the contents of the second chamber 6 is rolled up, and the part of the container that substantially contains the contents of the first chamber 5 and the contents of the second chamber 6 is then kneaded by hand. For example, homogeneous mixing can be achieved if the movement in the longitudinal direction from one end of the container to the other end of the container was performed 4-8 times.

It is also conducive to the homogeneous mixing of the components if the spatula 9 is not curved over its entire transverse direction. In this way, the spatula, after removal of the closure 4, can be used well for mixing the contents of the first chamber 5 and the second chamber 6, without the container being opened or damaged. By pressing the spatula of the first wall 2 against the opposing second wall 3 while simultaneously moving in the longitudinal direction of the container, the said contents are mixed, such as in the case of multiple movements in the longitudinal direction of the container. Such a shape of the spatula permits high flexibility during movement of the spatula in the longitudinal direction of the containers while pressing the container against a substrate.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate a side view of a spatula according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. It can be advantageous for the spatula 9 to have a head area 10, an end area 11 and a neck area 12 lying between them, and for the end area 11 to form the closure piece 7 or the closure counter piece 8. This arrangement is shown for example in FIG. 2 a or 2 b. The head area 10 can be used for application of the mixed contents of the first chamber 5 and the second chamber 6, for example if the head area 10, as shown in FIG. 2 a, has several indentations 13 arranged at regular intervals in the lateral direction. The indentations can be semicircular, rectangular, trapezoidal or triangular in shape, for example; this permits a uniform application in the form of a bead.

However, it can also be advantageous for uniform application if the head area 10 is made in a wedge shape in reference to the lateral transverse section, as is apparent in FIG. 2 b. This can be advantageous for filling cavities.

The neck area 12 of the spatula 9 can have a thickness of 1-5 mm.

A spatula of this type is advantageous, among other things, since as part of the closure system it can separate the two chambers from one another and therefore should always available, as it cannot be lost. Furthermore, because of its shape, it can be used for mixing and extracting the contents of the chambers, and it can be used for processing/applying the mixed multi-component composition, for example, spreading or shaping. A known spatula, for example one with a cylindrical grip, can have sharp and/or pointed surfaces, which can be suitable for processing/applying the mixed multi-component composition, but would damage the container, such as during pressing and forward movement on the container.

Furthermore it can be advantageous if the mixing condition of the contents of the container can be determined before opening the container, for example in that the container, such as one wall 2/3, includes at least partially of transparent material.

Steps a)-c) take place in the chronological order that follows. The container is opened between steps b) and c). Opening can be accomplished by cutting or tearing. If the container has an outlet 16, this can be opened and the mixed composition applied through this.

The container can be opened at the point at which the mixed composition is located after mixing.

Example (A)

In a comparison experiment, in three containers that contain, in a first chamber, a polyurethane-based adhesive, and in a second chamber, a curing accelerator, the closure was opened by opening and removing the tongue-and-groove connector. The containers consist of two walls made of a layered structure of polyamide/LDPE/aluminum/LDPE (total thickness of a wall approx. 120 μm), connected to one another by a sealed seam.

The first container was kneaded intensively by hand for one minute, then the container was slit open along the side with a knife and the contents were manually squeezed out in the form of a bead through the opening in the container onto a sheet of paper.

The second and the third container had a spatula, the end area of which forms the tongue of the closure.

In the second container, the contents of the first and the second chamber were forced from the left end area of the bag into the right end area of the bag and back 6 times within 60 seconds by pressing with the end area of the spatula. In this process, the end area of the spatula was moved over the total width of the container in the longitudinal direction, so that no content remained in the area over which the spatula was moved. After this, the container was slit open along the side with a knife and the contents were manually squeezed out in the form of a bead through the opening in the container onto a sheet of paper.

In the third container, the contents of the first and the second chamber were forced from the left end area of the bag into the right end area of the bag and back 6 times within 40 seconds by pressing with the end area of the spatula. In this process, the end area of the spatula was moved over the total width of the container in the longitudinal direction, so that no content remained in the area over which the spatula was moved. After this, within 5 seconds the flattened (and thus substantially emptied) part of the bag was rolled up and then the end area of the bag, containing substantially the contents of both chambers, was intensively kneaded by hand for 10 seconds. The container was then slit open along the side with a knife and the contents manually squeezed out in the form of a bead through the opening in the container onto a sheet of paper.

The three methods described in the preceding were each carried out at least 3 times. In the case of the first method (first container) inadequate mixing was observed in two-thirds of the experiments and moderate mixing in one third; because of differences in the coloring of the components and because of differences in the consistency of the composition that was pressed onto the paper, the inadequate mixing was visible to the naked eye.

In the second and third methods (second and third containers), good, homogeneous mixing was observed in all experiments; the composition that was pressed onto the paper exhibited uniform color and consistency. In addition it was found by weighing that the amount of the composition remaining in the packaging was 50% higher in the case of the first method than in the second and third methods. By using the end area of the spatula to press the composition out of the packaging onto the paper, the amount of the composition remaining in the packaging was able to be further reduced significantly.

Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range and equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein.

REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 Container -   2 First wall -   3 Second wall -   4 Closure -   5 First chamber -   6 Second chamber -   7 Closure piece -   8 Closure counter piece -   9 Spatula -   10 Head area -   11 End area -   12 Neck area -   13 Indentation -   14 Component A -   15 Component B -   16 Closable outlet -   17 Contact surface surrounding the container like a frame 

What is claimed is:
 1. Packaging for separately storing and subsequently mixing several components, the packaging comprising: a container formed from a first wall and an opposing second wall; and a closure that splits the container, in a leak-proof manner, into a first chamber and a second chamber within the container, wherein the closure is formed from a closure piece arranged on the first wall, and a closure counter piece arranged on the opposing second wall, and wherein one part of a spatula forms the closure piece or the closure counter piece.
 2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the closure is a snap connector with interlocking counter pieces, in which the closure piece is an interlocking receptacle element and the closure counter piece is an interlocking snap-in element.
 3. The packaging according to claim 2, wherein the closure piece is an interlocking receptacle element of substantially semicircular cross section and the closure counter piece is an interlocking snap-in element of substantially semicircular cross section.
 4. The packaging according to claim 2, wherein the one part of a spatula forms the closure counter piece.
 5. The packaging according to claim 3, wherein the one part of a spatula forms the closure counter piece.
 6. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the spatula consists of a thermoplastic plastic selected from the group including: high-density polyethylene (HDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), chlorosulfonated polyethylene and thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO).
 7. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the spatula is curved over less than an entire transverse direction.
 8. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein a first component is located in the first chamber and a second component is located in the second chamber, wherein the first component and the second component can react chemically with one another.
 9. The packaging according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the first component and the second component is a pasty substance.
 10. The Packaging according to claim 8, wherein the first and second components include at least one of adhesive compositions and sealant compositions.
 11. The packaging according to claim 8, wherein a ratio of a volume of the second component to a volume of the first component is 1:1-1:10.
 12. The packaging according to claim 11, wherein a ratio of a volume of the second component to a volume of the first component is 1:2-1:5.
 13. The packaging according to claim 12, wherein a ratio of a volume of the second component to a volume of the first component is 1:2-1:3.
 14. A method for applying a multi-component composition using a packaging having a container formed from a first wall and an opposing second wall; and a closure that splits the container, in a leak-proof manner, into a first chamber and a second chamber within the container, wherein the closure is formed from a closure piece arranged on the first wall, and a closure counter piece arranged on the opposing second wall, and wherein one part of a spatula forms the closure piece or the closure counter piece, the method comprising: a) opening the closure and thus combining contents of the first chamber with those of the second chamber within the container; b) mixing the contents of the first chamber with those of the second chamber using the one part of the spatula which forms the closure piece or the closure counter piece, without the container being opened; and c) applying the mixed contents of the first chamber and the second chamber with the aid of the spatula.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein in step b) the contents of the first chamber and the contents of the second chamber are moved in a longitudinal direction from one end of the container to another end of the container, wherein the movement with the aid of the part of the spatula which forms the closure piece or the closure counter piece is performed by pressing the first wall against the opposing second wall while simultaneously moving in the longitudinal direction of the container.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein movement of the content of the first chamber and the content of the second chamber in the longitudinal direction from one end of the container to the other end of the container is performed 4-8 times.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein after the content of the first chamber and the content of the second chamber have been moved in the longitudinal direction from one end of the container to the other end of the container, a part of the container that is substantially free of the contents of the first chamber and the contents of the second chamber is rolled up, and then a part of the container that contains substantially the contents of the first chamber and the contents of the second chamber is kneaded manually.
 18. The method according to claim 15, wherein after the content of the first chamber and the content of the second chamber have been moved in the longitudinal direction from one end of the container to the other end of the container, a part of the container that is substantially free of the contents of the first chamber and the contents of the second chamber is rolled up, and then a part of the container that contains substantially the contents of the first chamber and the contents of the second chamber is kneaded manually. 